The right time to Increase De Beers stake: Botswana’s mines minister

Botswana’s mines minister Bogolo Kenewendo says it’s “absolutely” the right time to discuss the government increasing its 15 per cent stake in De Beers.

Published

1 year ago

February 11, 2025

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She indicated that Anglo American, which owns the other 85 per cent of De Beers, was moving closer to an initial public offering (IPO) and that Botswana was pushing for a larger stake.

Anglo announced last week that it was likely to write down the value of De Beers from its current $7.6bn, as a result of persistent weak diamond demand, especially in China.

Botswana’s diamond, which accounts for over 70 per cent of the country’s export earnings, has been severely hit by the global slump in demand.

In the last nine months of 2024 Debswana – its 50/50 joint venture with De Beers it sold $1.53bn of rough, down 52 per cent on the same period in 2023.

Diamond Market Shows Resilience As Large Stones And Fancy Shapes Drive Demand

Global Sector Reports Stable Fundamentals Ahead Of Key Industry Events

Published

9 hours ago

April 25, 2026

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The global diamond sector is maintaining overall stability, with notable strength emerging in large, high-quality stones and fancy elongated shapes, according to the latest trade intelligence.

Diamonds in the 7–9.99 carat range are experiencing robust demand, while 10-carat-and-larger sizes — particularly D-Flawless rounds — continue to sell briskly. Smaller round stones in the 0.30–0.89 carat range are also showing signs of stabilization after a period of softness.

The Bharat Diamond Bourse in Mumbai is anticipating a market recovery following a temporary Iran ceasefire, with optimism returning among regional traders. However, manufacturers are adopting a wait-and-see approach ahead of next week’s De Beers Sight April 27–30, with a modest allocation widely projected. Indian factories are preparing for May summer closures, leading to a deferral in rough buying activity.

On the supply side, Angola has forecast an 8% increase in rough diamond production for 2025, projecting output of 15.2 million carats — a development expected to support broader market supply.

Fancy elongated shapes — including ovals, marquises, and emeralds — are outperforming rounds in the 2-carat-and-larger segment. High-quality marquises are commanding the highest premiums in the market, with long radiants and long cushions also facing notable supply constraints. In India, 2-carat-plus sizes are advancing, supported by sustained U.S. demand and rough shortages that are providing upward price support for polished stones.

Israel’s market is observing a temporary pause in activity due to Memorial Day and Independence Day observances. In the United States, the National Retail Federation projects $7.5 billion in Mother’s Day jewelry sales on May 10.